It was the same on the water. Pic Picot, who runs a luxury yacht charter service around New Zealand

Despite the financial meltdown and grim predictions for New Zealand s economy, those with deep pockets continue to flock to top restaurants, drive flash cars, stay at upmarket lodges and enjoy luxury yacht cruises.
And if that is not enough to make many green with envy those who enjoy the finer things in life are doing so in even bigger numbers, with a lower Kiwi dollar making New Zealand a cheaper attraction for big spending auto rental tourists.
Last week 48 guests enjoyed Boomrock s conference centre facilities in the company of Marlborough winemaker Allan Scott. They paid $195 each for clay shooting, golf, transport from Wellington City, a five-course lunch and matching Allan Scott wines.
Nor had the recession stopped people from driving to restaurants in style. Queenstown Luxury Car Rentals have a two-seater Porsche Boxster available at $350 a day and a Range-Rover for $395. Director Sonya Ford said this summer, their peak season, was one of their busiest. Their customers were a mix of foreign tourists auto rental and Kiwis, she said.
It was the same on the water. Pic Picot, who runs a luxury yacht charter service around New Zealand and a sailing auto rental school, said that among the many who chartered yachts this summer was a New Zealand sports personality identity a secret who paid $35,000 for a four-day cruise which was fully crewed, including a chef and hostess.